News

The Iran-backed Coordination Framework to take more steps after Sadr withdrawal

Shkoi Kurdistan

The Iran-backed Coordination Framework on Tuesday called on “influential” parties to take part in political talks following the en masse resignation of the Sadrists from the Iraqi legislature in a move that sparked fresh turmoil in war-torn Iraq. 

To discuss Iraq’s political landscape, the framework held a meeting with the Kurdish Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the Sunni Azm Alliance, and the political wing of an Iran-backed militia the Babylon Movement. 

The political blocs “stressed the importance of the next stage, which demands speeding up the start of the practical steps to conclude the constitutional dues, electing the president of the republic, and forming a harmonious government capable of meeting the demands of Iraqis,” read a statement published by the Coordination Framework. 

The framework expressed its readiness to approach all the political parties as it believes “the next government must be a strong and a capable government that provides services, preserves the unity and sovereignty of the country as well as Iraq’s position and role in the area and the region,” the statement added. 

All 73 members of Iraq’s largest parliamentary bloc resigned from the parliament following orders from Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Sunday, plunging the country into a deeper political turmoil. The move sparked warnings that the political troubles in Iraq could lead to a new wave of civil unrest. 

The mass Sadrist parliamentary exodus may give their political rivals the chance of forming a consensus government, but this will likely be met with opposition from the Iraqi street, and while Sadr may no longer participate in parliament, thousands of his supporters across the country will be ready to flood the streets in a heartbeat if he calls on them to do so.

Iraqis headed to the polls in October, but the new parliament has so far failed to agree on a new government.

The framework on Monday said it respects the Sadrists’ resignation. 

The Coordination Framework will “proceed with dialogues with all political forces to complete the constitutional dues and form a national service government,” it said in a statement. 

The framework is expected to gain the lion’s share of the Sadrists’ vacant seats, with a Shiite politician telling the Associated Press on Monday that he expects the Framework to have more than 100 seats after the Sadrists’ withdrawal.

Show More

Related Articles

Back to top button
Close